L.E.K Boston and the Pan-Mass Challenge – Part 2

Over the first weekend in August, 38 L.E.K. employees, alumni, and family completed the Pan-Mass Challenge, a 163 mile bike ride from Wellesley to Provincetown. L.E.K. riders biked along with ~6,000 other riders, ~4,000 volunteers, and countless supporters who cheered us on along the way.

The weekend began at 6 AM on Saturday when the team piled into cars and headed out to Babson College to the starting line. As we hopped on our bikes and started pedaling, we were cheered on by a group of managing directors who woke up early to send us off! Throughout the day, we took breaks at rest stops every 20 miles and enjoyed the mist stations, protein bars and plentiful Gatorade. Before we knew it, we had completed the first day and ridden 80 miles. We then spent the night at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, located in Buzzards Bay, and were greeted by copious amounts of food, a live band, and free massages to soothe our aching muscles.

The next morning, we woke up before sunrise so that we could watch the sun come up along the Cape Cod Canal as we rode. The soreness in our legs was easy to ignore with all the loud cheers of the supporters. One of my favorite moments was riding past “the hedge,” a long set of bushes with families clapping for us, holding signs of encouragement, and thanking us for the athletic commitment and the funds we raised for Dana-Farber. In a matter of hours, we had made our way up the Cape and the finish line was in sight.

As a first time rider, I was amazed by the incredible support from L.E.K. Without my teammates and the support of everyone in our office, I would not have been able to complete such a feat. From the financial support to help us meet our fundraising minimums to the training rides and cookouts before the ride, the support from L.E.K. was phenomenal. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, L.E.K. raised ~$180,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute this year, exceeding last year’s amount raised by over $20,000!